Finger Lakes village receives financing and grant for clean-water project

INTERLAKEN, N.Y. — A village in Seneca County is one of the recent recipients of financing and grants to support vital water-quality infrastructure projects across New York state.

The New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) approved $26.7 million in grants, interest-free loans, and low-cost loans at its June 24 meeting. The funding supports municipalities that are working to update their aging drinking water and wastewater systems and improve utility services for residents with “innovative, cost-effective financing solutions,” according to a June 25 news release from the office of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo

The Village of Interlaken in Seneca County was approved for nearly $3.9 million in short-term, interest-free financing through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, and more than $1.2 million in Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA) grant funding for wastewater-treatment plant upgrades and improvements.

Three other clean-water projects in Western New York, one drinking-water project in the same region, and one clean-water initiative downstate also received funding. 

“The funding announced today and the critical projects it supports are investments in the future of New York’s cities, towns, and villages and will protect the environment, bolster local economies, and improve overall quality of life for generations to come,” Basil Seggos, Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner and EFC board chair, said in the release. 

The financings are subject to Public Authorities Control Board (PACB) approval and are scheduled for consideration at PACB’s meeting in July.